Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 11, 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 19 19 Bald Eagle 0 1 1 Northern Harrier 1 47 57 Sharp-shinned Hawk 55 329 339 Cooper's Hawk 0 11 12 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 44 75 Red-tailed Hawk 0 1 1 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 15 181 214 Merlin 2 6 7 Peregrine Falcon 1 3 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 74 642 728 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Jim Dunn Observers: Bob Johnstone, Keith Sealy, Mary Carnahan, Matt Oswald Visitors: Thanks to those who braved today's weather to do the count...Mary, Jim, Matt, Keith and Bob J. along with visitors today were Carey S., Dave S., Bob H., Craig B. along with 4 individuals from Chatham, a couple of photographers from Bowmanville and several others whose names we didn't get. Weather: When counters arrived this morning at the site they discovered that a large tree on the south side of the ravine had been blown down in last night's gale and completely blocked the road. It was eventually cleared and the road was passable. Unfortunately, the day was much more unsettled than was forecast. Winds were strong from the WNW and NW as predicted...but the humidity never did clear out for the entire day which obviously grounded the buteos. Temp was much cooler with the passage of the cold front getting to a high of just 14C. Cloud cover was solid with intermittent drizzle; overcast; hazy; and migrants were sporadic. Raptor Observations: Despite the damp day there were a few birds on the move...with a total of 74 for the day. Most of the flight was Sharpies (55) along with a single N. Harrier, Kestrels (15), a couple of Merlins and a lone adult Peregrine that cruised up over the field in front of the counters and then sped off directly over the knoll and to the west. Non-raptor Observations: Observers reported few non-raptor sightings on this gusty, chilly, overcast and downright wet day at Hawk Cliff. The Red-bellied Woodpecker seems to have moved from the opposite side of the road to a tree almost directly above the observation knoll and spent the better part of the day yakking at the observers below, perhaps trying to participate in their conversations. An Eastern Wood-peewee seen across from the knoll while Tennessee and Bay-breasted Warblers plus Red-eyed Vireo were spotted in shrubs right beside the knoll. A walk up the road yielded many good views of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Barn & Tree Swallows were seen throughout the day hawking bugs above the fields up and down the road. Other sightings were Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Gray Catbird, American Goldfinch, European Starling and Ring-billed Gull. Very few Monarch Butterflies were seen today and no count was taken. A couple of Black Saddlebags and Common Green Darners were spotted from the knoll, not apparently going anywhere, just struggling in today's gusty wind. Predictions: Winds are predicted to be light to moderate from the NE...but what's more important is whether or not the humidity drops fairly quickly first thing. Also, they're calling for a mix of sun and cloud which will help with spotting the birds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Brown ([email protected]) Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at: http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
